Just take a look at these totally cool designs…..what a break from the suburban Atlanta cookie cutter homes we see….can you see yourself living in one of these? I certainly can!
What Are These “Energy Ratings” on Real Estate Listings?
Tomorrow is Earth Day! (Click HERE to learn about Earth Day!)
What Are These “Energy Ratings” on Real Estate Listings?
And there is no better time then when we talk about our planet, to also talk about energy, and efficiency when buying a home or condo. You often hear these terms, “LEED Certified” or on a listing you see a “HERS rating.” And then there is “Energy Star.”
What do they all mean?
HERS Index
The Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index is the industry standard by which a home’s energy efficiency is measured. It’s also the nationally recognized system for inspecting and calculating a home’s energy performance.
The HERS Index measures how efficient a home’s energy usage is. There are a lot of great reasons to have a home energy rating performed on your house.
It can tell you so much about the home you are going to purchase, like how efficiently it’s operating and where you can make modifications for greater energy savings. When you’re selling your home, a low HERS Index Score can command a higher resale price. And when you’re buying a home you can anticipate the costs of energy bills and efficiency upgrades.
How does the HERS Index work?
A certified Home Energy Rater assesses the energy efficiency of a home, assigning it a relative performance score. The lower the number, the more energy efficient the home.
The U.S. Department of Energy has determined that a typical resale home scores 130 on the HERS Index while a standard new home is awarded a rating of 100.
- A home with a HERS Index Score of 70 is 30% more energy efficient than a standard new home
- A home with a HERS Index Score of 130 is 30% less energy efficient than a standard new home
For more information, visit the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) website.
LEED
LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a program managed by the US Green Building Council. It is more frequently used in the commercial office environment, but it can also be applicable to residential real estate.
LEED works for all buildings—from homes to corporate headquarters—at all phases of development. Projects pursuing LEED certification earn points across several areas that address sustainability issues. Based on the number of points achieved, a project then receives one of four LEED rating levels: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
To learn more about LEED for residential construction, visit the LEED for HOMES page of U.S. Green Building Council.
ENERGY STAR
Created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ENERGY STAR is a voluntary program that helps businesses and individuals save money and protect our climate through superior energy efficiency.
Energy Star covers items like sealing and insulating, heating and cooling, as well as products like home appliances, electronics and lighting.
For more information about Energy Star ratings or your home, visit the Energy Star website.
Many of the above ratings may have been accomplished when the home, or condominium building was built. Others, you can change later, such as HVAC or home appliances.
If any of these certifications are important to you in your home search, we encourage you to look at these websites and learn more information about the areas you have a focus on!
Happy Earth Day!
Top 10 Ways to Keep Insects Out of Your Home
Bugs! Everybody hates them. But we have them. And in the South, we even have some special ones, don’t we!!! Well, as long as they are outside in the wild, that’s fine…but when they make it inside our home or condo, that’s a whole other story!
Top 10 Ways to Keep Insects Out of Your Home
Whether you live in an apartment, condominium, or a single family home, bugs can be a problem. In the first two, you don’t have much control over your neighbors and how they might live, or how clean they keep their place. And if they don’t keep it clean, bugs could show up, and end up in your place too. In condos and apartments, the pest control is limited to the exterior of the building and common areas. The inside of your home is your responsibility.
A single family home has even more possibilities for bugs! So here are some ways to keep insects out of your home….keeping in mind that all of them may not apply to your particular living situation!
- Routinely empty all the trash and dump it down the trash chute or place it in outside garbage cans with tight fitting lids.
- Keep doors and windows closed when not in use. If possible, have screens on your windows, and a screen door that fits tight on exterior doors. Condo balcony doors are almost impossible to have any screening…so you have to watch for flying insects that could end up inside!
- Remove extra clutter from your home. In your basement or garage, these can provide nice warm living spaces for these things!
- Keep pet food in a sealed container. If you keep it in the garage, it’s food for more that Bow Wow!
- All food and beverages should remain in covered or sealed air-tight containers.
- Make sure to trim all hedges, trees and other landscaping back away from your house. If you live in a condo or apartment building, discuss this with maintenance personnel or management if you are having bug issues.
- Inspect the perimeter of your home and pay close attention to areas that could offer a way into your home. Again, in an apartment building, if your patio doors don’t close properly, contact maintenance to have them repaired/replaced if you ARE having issues. They may give you a hassle about this, but stand your ground.
- Change exterior lighting (if applicable) to low sodium vapor light bulbs. Most insects ARE attracted to light, but less attracted to low sodium vapor lighting. (NOTE: I confess…I have NO idea what this is!!!)
- Don’t bring them inside! That seems obvious, but I move outdoor plants inside for the winter that won’t survive the cold. I always inspect them for things I DON’T want in my house!
- If you have a basement or attic, install critter-proof mesh vents in attics and crawl spaces.
Some great tips to keep your home, condominium or apartment bug free!
As a disclaimer…..when I looked for a photo to attach to this post, I really did not want you, or anyone, to be freaked out, or creeped out by a bug photo! Bees are pretty cool and needed insects…but thought that photo would not send you screaming! If you really made it to THIS portion of the post, why not give me a “Thank You” comment for not scaring you!
Que Sera Sera! Whatever Will Be Will Be!
Que Sera Sera! Whatever Will Be Will Be!
I loved me some Doris Day way back when…..I can remember she had a weekly sitcom show too.
2016, she will be 92 years old…and I just found out there is quite the annual celebration for her Birthday!
But I have always loved this song. Certainly something to keep on your mind….maybe after you hear it…it will be THAT song that is stuck in your head all day!
Que Sera Sera!
FREE Admission to Atlanta Attractions
I’ll be the first to admit (and if you have lived anyplace for any length of time) that I’ve lived in Atlanta for many years, and there are some of these attractions I’ve never, ever seen! But knowing there is an opportunity to see them for… FREE…well just who can pass up an offer like that.
FREE Admission to Atlanta Attractions
Especially take note of the Atlanta History Center and the High Museum as some great options. And the Georgia State Parks and Historic sites can be great for when you are looking for that Saturday or Sunday jaunt out of Midtown Atlanta to experience something new.
Mercedes Benz Selects Sandy Springs Site for 12-Acre Campus
Mercedes Benz Selects Sandy Springs Site for 12-Acre Campus
Mercedes Benz, the well-known German luxury auto maker has selected a site in Sandy Springs off of Abernathy Road and GA400 as the site for their new Atlanta headquarters.
The land is part of two larger tracts that straddle Abernathy road and Glenridge Road. According to the Atlanta Business Chronicle, both tracts are being purchased by Ashton Woods Homes, and they will in turn sell back the 12 acre parcel to Mercedes. It’s a headquarters district for sure….Mercedes Benz neighbors include United Parcel Service and Newell Rubbermaid. Mercedes will locate on the southern side of Abernathy Road.
If they were looking for a location close to MARTA for that “techy, urban” kind of employee, they have a stretch with this site. Abernathy Road is a busy, busy automobile street, and there are no sidewalks on the South side of Abernathy leading to the MARTA station at Mt. Vernon Highway and Perimeter Center Parkway. Not to mention that walk goes along side a stretch of undeveloped land (nothing exciting to engage the pedestrian there….) and then crossing Peachtree Dunwoody Road to get to the station Entrance. Here is a map indicating the location of the campus and the MARTA station.
Driving? Abernathy road/GA400 is another ‘ground zero” for traffic bottle necks, and with the pending construction/re-design of the GA400 and I-285 Interchange just to the south of here….well, maybe they can grab an extra coffee and if they have a company Mercedes…just sit back..and wait.
But, for those Mercedes Benz employees that are inclined to want that urban life style, we can help them find a great location in Midtown Atlanta for condominium living, and near the Buckhead MARTA station Skyhouse Buckhead and Cyan are luxury apartment options. Nearby 10 Terminus and Realm Condominiums are options here as well.
We look forward to helping Mercedes Benz employees feel right at home in Midtown Atlanta and beyond.
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